Monday, April 14, 2008

Boot Tracker; April 7th 2008, Anaheim CA

It's been a long time coming, but now its here! The recording of the first night in Anaheim, out of a killer two night stand, is available through Jungleland. As the original liner notes to this tape attest we're very lucky to get it at all. Our hero taper for this show was in a financial tight spot, but still managed to scrape the money for the show and a bus ticket together. Sick as a dog on the night of the performance he set out to the Honda Center to capture this show for all eternity, only to be back past 3 in the AM, with a job waiting in the morning. We can't thank you enough! Anaheim must be the most awaited bootleg of the tour thus far and you gave us the chance to hear what others are raving about. As thankful as I am, I can't hide a bit of disappointment as well. Both Anaheim nights had the potential to become the best bootleg of the tour as they were arguably the best shows thus far. Judging on what I'm hearing here, the first night of the Anaheim stand was certainly the best show of the tour up to that point. Potentially the first Magic show to make it in a Top something of all time list.

Unfortunately the sound isn't up to it. The show was recorded from the upper decks, not the ideal place to be taping. We should really start helping tapers out with money for better seats. This Magic night in Anaheim is drowning in the echo that can't be avoided on the uppers, causing the sound to be hollow and the base to drone in the louder pieces, especially in the faster ones. This unfortunately takes some of the enjoyment away from the best opener this tour had up till this point, "Light Of Day"! In a killing lightening fast version it got the joint cooking within the first 5 minutes of the show. Anaheim would keep that hard rocking pace all night. "Gypsy Biker" crashed in to a red hot "Murder Inc", in the set before a feisty "Reason To Believe" we got a blazing "Trapped" followed by "Because the Night". That folks is dynamite a mere ten songs into the show. The show reached its peak with the already legendary "Ghost of Tom Joad" performance featuring Tom Morello from Rage Against The Machine. A unique performance we're likely never to see again. Not even Nils can touch Morello's absolutely raging solo. Morello's style is so distinct, it would be hard to copy. If there was still any doubt the Boss was on a roll that night, it was erased for good when after "Badlands" he kept spirits high by extending it with a full "Out In The Street". All of that before Rosie even came out to play in the encores and we went Ramrodding for ever more!



While the sound isn't what I hoped it would be, Anaheim is a very enjoyable bootleg to listen to if only for the energy of the evening coming across so well. The tape might be muddy and probably won't be competing as the best boot of the tour, it does represent an already legendary blazing performance. That alone makes it worth while to pick it up. Thanks for all the effort again!

"Light Of Day"
Download the full show in mp3 here

Sound: 3+ out of 5
Show: 6 out of 5
Artwork: none

A very good fan review from the show floating around on BTX.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Disagree with your comment on Nils. Putting Morello in a league of his own based on this solo isn't fair. Because the night more than matches up. Other than that I agree with the review. The sound is listenable and I'm very grateful to the taper for making it to the show at all.

SoulBoogieAlex said...

It is not that I meant to say that Tom is a better guitar player than Nils. But Morello does have a very distinct and unique approach to the guitar. I’ve seen Tom live a few times with his various bands, he has a signature sound that you’ll be able to pick out of a crowd. Just like Jimi Hendrix or J.J. Cale have a very personal signature sound. Nils is obviously one of Rock’s finest guitar players, but his approach differs from Morello’s and I doubt the latter’s will be easily copied.